UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Highly Commended
'Jellyfish'
Henley Spiers

The long tentacles of a jellyfish trail behind as it swims close to the surface. I am fascinated by the image opportunities just
beneath the surface, where the interplay between the elements of water and air is so keenly felt.
On this occasion, I was excited to find a jellyfish bloom as we surfaced from our dive, as they undoubtedly have a graceful beauty which accompanies their painful threat. This image shows the stark contrast between black water and the white sky, with the surface seen through Snell’s window, a phenomenon by which an underwater viewer sees everything above the surface through a cone of light.
Although it may seem like Photoshop wizardry, this image was achieved quite simply by converting to black and white using the elements present, it was also inspired by the the work of Christian Vizl, and I would like to pay tribute to his influence.

Judge's comment: First and foremost I would like to commend this image, in particular, for seeing in their ‘minds eye’ the opportunity to create this stunning black and white. Mono at it’s finest.
- Martin Edge